REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 0279079
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
FOR
GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
LARKOS & PARTNERS 128 STOKE LANE WESTBURY ON TRYM BRISTOL BS9 3RJ
GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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Report of the Trustees 1 to 2
Independent Examiner's Report 3
Statement of Financial Activities 4
Balance Sheet 5
Notes to the Financial Statements 6 to 10
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 11 to 12
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objectives of the Charity are to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and the Greek language and culture in the town and area of Bristol.
The principal source of income for the Charity are donations from the community members, rents from the Charity properties and the Community Hall, as well as collecting during church services or other fund raising community events and social functions.
The primary expenditure of the Charity is the maintenance and upkeep of the church, school and other Charity buildings, the employment of a priest and provision of regular church services on a weekly basis or more frequently when needed, the Greek school operation with the assistance from the Cypriot government and the support of the philanthropic and charitable activities within the Greek and the whole of Bristol community.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities
The Trustees ensured that regular church services took place right through the year. The Greek school has performed in an admirable way and achieved great results and progress, with the student numbers increasing to record levels.
The Charity proudly continues to offer the Library service, available to all concerned!
FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves policy
The Trustees are satisfied with the financial position of the Charity as at 31st March 2025 and the Deficit from operations to the level of £13,431 ( 2024 (£6,733)), which will be taken from the Reserves.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Organisational structure
The Trustees are responsible for managing and protecting the Charity and its assets, ensuring that all operations are withing the Charities Commission legislation. They meet at least once a year and more often as needed, liaising with the church council who manages the Trusts affairs on a daily basis and meets on the first Monday of every month.
The Ladies Philanthropic Committee, Ayia Tabitha, oversees the Philanthropic and Charitable activities of the Charity.
The Greek School Committee, oversees the smooth operation and activities of the school and organises cultural events for the benefit of the Greek Community of Bristol and the whole of Bristol and the area in an integral way.
The Church Committee or Church Council, is the main Committee with full responsibility to organise and oversee all activities within the Charity, education, church services, recreation, maintenance and safeguard of all property of the Charity, cultural and social activities as well been the beacon of the Greek existence in this part of the country.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
0279079
Principal address
128 Stoke Lane Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 3RJ
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees
His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas Dr I. Ieropoulos (resigned 7/7/2024) Mrs M. Savvas Mr H. Stamboulieh Mr M. J. Michael Mr N. Nicolaou Mr A Lazarides (appointed 18/10/2025) Mrs H Birch (appointed 18/10/2025)
Independent Examiner
George Michael BSc AAT
LARKOS & PARTNERS 128 STOKE LANE WESTBURY ON TRYM BRISTOL BS9 3RJ
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 15 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Mr M. J. Michael
Trustee
Page 2
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Greek Orthodox Community of Bristol
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Greek Orthodox Community of Bristol (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
George Michael BSc AAT
LARKOS & PARTNERS
128 STOKE LANE WESTBURY ON TRYM BRISTOL BS9 3RJ
15 May 2026
Page 3
GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes INCOME Donations and legacies Other trading activities 2 Investment income 3 Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 4 Charitable activities Charitable Activities Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
31/3/25 Unrestricted fund £ 201,762 17,805 75,203 294,770 130,543 150,796 281,339 13,431 1,680,776 1,694,207 |
31/3/24 Total funds £ 113,880 15,486 57,250 186,616 64,711 128,638 193,349 (6,733) 1,687,509 1,680,776 |
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 8 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 9 Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 12 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
31/3/25 Unrestricted fund £ 1,538,521 6,076 63,521 115,275 184,872 (29,186) 155,686 1,694,207 1,694,207 1,694,207 1,694,207 |
31/3/24 Total funds £ 1,541,634 6,076 70,995 64,888 141,959 (2,817) 139,142 1,680,776 1,680,776 1,680,776 1,680,776 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Director the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 15 May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
Mr H. Stamboulieh Trustee
Mrs M. Savvas Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and Furnishings
- 10% on reducing balance
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Fundraising events 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Rents received Deposit account interest 4. RAISING FUNDS Raising donations and legacies Telephone Postage and stationery Support costs Investment management costs Interest payable and similar charges Aggregate amounts |
31/3/25 £ 17,805 31/3/25 £ 74,861 342 75,203 31/3/25 £ 2,580 11,552 8,261 22,393 31/3/25 £ 1,537 130,543 |
31/3/24 £ 15,486 |
31/3/24 £ 15,486 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31/3/24 £ 56,355 895 |
|||
| 57,250 | |||
| 31/3/24 £ 1,892 6,466 - |
|||
| 8,358 | |||
| 31/3/24 £ 1,279 64,711 |
|||
| 64,711 |
5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
6. STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 31/3/25 | 31/3/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Priest | 2 | 2 |
| Teacher | 1 | 1 |
| Cleaner | 1 | 1 |
| Assistants | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | 6 |
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
continued...
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Other trading activities Investment income Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds Charitable activities Charitable Activities Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Freehold property £ COST At 1 April 2024 1,059,273 Additions - At 31 March 2025 1,059,273 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 - Charge for year - At 31 March 2025 - NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 1,059,273 At 31 March 2024 1,059,273 |
Improvements to Holy Elements and property Icons £ £ 198,067 177,288 - 5,335 198,067 182,623 - - - - - - 198,067 182,623 198,067 177,288 |
Fixtures and Furnishings £ 309,536 2,503 312,039 202,530 10,951 213,481 98,558 107,006 |
Unrestricted fund £ 113,880 15,486 57,250 186,616 64,711 128,638 193,349 (6,733) 1,687,509 1,680,776 Totals £ 1,744,164 7,838 1,752,002 202,530 10,951 213,481 1,538,521 1,541,634 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 9. STOCKS Library Books 10. DEBTORS:AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Debtors Other debtors Prepayments 11. CREDITORS:AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors 12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.24 £ 1,680,776 1,680,776 Incoming resources £ 294,770 294,770 At 1.4.23 £ 1,687,509 1,687,509 |
31/3/25 £ 6,076 31/3/25 £ 24,657 32,115 6,749 63,521 31/3/25 £ 29,186 Net movement in funds £ 13,431 13,431 Resources expended £ (281,339) (281,339) Net movement in funds £ (6,733) (6,733) |
31/3/24 £ 6,076 31/3/24 £ 28,058 39,805 3,132 70,995 31/3/24 £ 2,817 At 31.3.25 £ 1,694,207 1,694,207 Movement in funds £ 13,431 13,431 At 31.3.24 £ 1,680,776 1,680,776 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 186,616 186,616 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (193,349) (6,733) (193,349) (6,733) |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (193,349) (6,733) (193,349) (6,733) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (6,733) |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.23 £ 1,687,509 1,687,509 |
Net movement in funds £ 6,698 6,698 |
At 31.3.25 £ 1,694,207 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,694,207 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 481,386 481,386 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (474,688) 6,698 (474,688) 6,698 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (474,688) 6,698 (474,688) 6,698 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,698 |
13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 31/3/25 | 31/3/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 164,511 | 88,740 |
| Subscriptions | 2,939 | 2,255 |
| Sunday Collection and Services | 34,312 | 22,885 |
| 201,762 | 113,880 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Fundraising events | 17,805 | 15,486 |
| Investment income | ||
| Rents received | 74,861 | 56,355 |
| Deposit account interest | 342 | 895 |
| 75,203 | 57,250 | |
| Total incoming resources | 294,770 | 186,616 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
| Telephone | 2,580 | 1,892 |
| Postage and stationery | 11,552 | 6,466 |
| 14,132 | 8,358 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Event Costs - Purchases | 13,814 | 10,761 |
| Travelling | 5,361 | 768 |
| Candles and Incense | 6,656 | 1,004 |
| Archdiocese of Thyateira | 3,751 | 5,772 |
| Repairs and Renewals | 62,556 | 28,721 |
| Cleaning | 11,960 | 5,655 |
| Flowers and Garden Keep | 2,515 | 2,393 |
| 106,613 | 55,074 | |
| Investment management costs | ||
| Bank interest | 1,537 | 1,279 |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Hire of plant and machinery | 175 | 350 |
| Rates and water | 6,894 | 7,303 |
| Insurance | 13,331 | 14,141 |
| Light and heat | 28,833 | 13,477 |
| Sundries | 124 | 264 |
| Donations | 2,345 | 1,655 |
| 51,702 | 37,190 |
Support costs
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF BRISTOL
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 31/3/25 | 31/3/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Support costs | ||
| Management | ||
| Website and Advertising | 594 | 594 |
| Other | ||
| Legal and Professional Fees | 10,216 | 1,020 |
| Licences and Subscriptions | 602 | 1,413 |
| Depreciation | 10,951 | 11,890 |
| 21,769 | 14,323 | |
| Governance costs | ||
| Wages | 80,244 | 72,714 |
| Pensions | 1,772 | 1,513 |
| Accountancy and legal fees | 2,976 | 2,304 |
| 84,992 | 76,531 | |
| Total resources expended | 281,339 | 193,349 |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 13,431 | (6,733) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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